Power tool with shared terminal block

ABSTRACT

An example power tool includes a battery pack receiving portion including a battery pack compartment including a battery pack support structure configured to receive and support a battery pack including battery terminals. The power tool further includes a terminal block located in the battery pack receiving portion and including tool terminals. At least two terminals of the tool terminals are configured to electrically and physically couple to the battery terminals. The power tool further includes an insertable device compartment located in the battery pack receiving portion and configured to receive an insertable wireless communication device including a first electronic processor, a transceiver, and device terminals. At least one device terminal is configured to electrically and physically couple to at least one shared terminal of the at least two terminals of the tool terminals. The insertable wireless communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/782,432, filed Feb. 5, 2020, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/801,975, filed on Feb. 6, 2019, theentire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to power tools with a compartment forreceiving another device.

SUMMARY

One embodiment includes a power tool including a housing having a motorhousing portion, a handle portion, and a battery pack receiving portion.The battery pack receiving portion may include a battery packcompartment including a battery pack support structure configured toreceive and support a battery pack including battery terminals. Thepower tool may further include a motor within the motor housing portionand having a rotor and a stator. The power tool may further include aterminal block located in the battery pack receiving portion andincluding tool terminals. At least two terminals of the tool terminalsmay be configured to electrically and physically couple to the batteryterminals. The power tool may further include an insertable devicecompartment located in the battery pack receiving portion. The powertool may further include an insertable wireless communication deviceincluding a first electronic processor and a transceiver. The insertablewireless communication device may be configured to be received in theinsertable device compartment and may include device terminals. At leastone device terminal may be configured to electrically and physicallycouple to at least one shared terminal of the at least two terminals ofthe tool terminals. The insertable wireless communication device may beconfigured to wirelessly communicate with an external device. The powertool may further include a second electronic processor within thehousing and configured to control operation of the motor, andcommunicate with the first electronic processor when the insertablewireless communication device is inserted into the insertable devicecompartment to allow information to be transferred between the secondelectronic processor and the external device.

In some embodiments, the first electronic processor of the insertablewireless communication device is configured to at least one of the groupof: (i) receive power tool data from the second electronic processor ofthe power tool and transmit the power tool data to the external device;and (ii) receive power tool configuration data from the external deviceand transmit the power tool configuration data to the second electronicprocessor of the power tool.

Another embodiment includes a power tool including a housing having amotor housing portion, a handle portion, and a battery pack receivingportion. The battery pack receiving portion may include a terminal blockincluding tool terminals. The battery pack receiving portion may furtherinclude a battery pack compartment including a battery pack supportstructure configured to receive and support a battery pack. The batterypack may include battery terminals configured to physically andelectrically connect to a first selection of at least two terminals ofthe tool terminals. The battery pack receiving portion may furtherinclude an insertable device compartment configured to receive andsupport an insertable wireless communication device. The insertablewireless communication device may include device terminals configured tophysically and electrically connect to a second selection of at leasttwo terminals of the tool terminals.

In some embodiments, the first selection of the least two terminals ofthe tool terminals that are configured to be physically and electricallyconnected to the battery terminals of the battery pack are the same asthe second selection of the at least two terminals of the tool terminalsthat are configured to be physically and electrically connected to thedevice terminals of the insertable wireless communication device.

In some embodiments, the insertable wireless communication device has aheight of less than approximately twenty-five millimeters.

In some embodiments, the first selection of the at least two terminalsof the tool terminals that are configured to be physically andelectrically connected to the battery terminals of the battery packextend from the terminal block through the insertable device compartmentand into the battery pack compartment. In some embodiments, the firstselection of the at least two terminals of the tool terminals thatextend from the terminal block through the insertable device compartmentand into the battery pack compartment are configured to be physicallyand electrically connected to at least one of the group consisting ofthe device terminals and the battery terminals.

In some embodiments, at least one terminal of the tool terminals extendsfrom the terminal block into the insertable device compartment withoutextending into the battery pack compartment, and the at least oneterminal is configured to be physically and electrically connected tothe device terminals and not the battery terminals.

Another embodiment includes a method of operating a power tool. Themethod may include receiving and supporting an insertable wirelesscommunication device in an insertable device compartment of a batterypack receiving portion of the power tool that includes a housing havinga motor housing portion, a handle portion, and the battery packreceiving portion. The insertable wireless communication device mayinclude device terminals configured to physically and electricallyconnect to shared tool terminals of a terminal block included in thebattery pack receiving portion. The method may further include receivingand supporting a battery pack in a battery pack compartment of thebattery pack receiving portion. The battery pack may include batteryterminals configured to physically and electrically connect to theshared tool terminals. The method may further include receiving, by thepower tool, power from the battery pack via at least two of the sharedtool terminals. The method may further include receiving, by theinsertable wireless communication device, power from the battery packvia the at least two of the shared tool terminals.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an external device of thecommunication system.

FIG. 3 illustrates a power tool of the communication system.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery pack receiving portion of thepower tool of FIG. 3 according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the battery pack receiving portion ofFIG. 4 with half of a housing removed from the power tool and with abattery pack detached from the power tool according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a battery pack that is attachable to thepower tool of FIG. 3 according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an insertable wireless communicationdevice according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 7B is a top view of the insertable wireless communication device ofFIG. 7A with an upper portion of a housing removed according to oneexample embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side profile view of the battery pack receiving portion ofthe power tool of FIG. 3 with part of the housing removed according toone example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the battery pack receiving portion ofthe power tool of FIG. 3 with part of the housing removed according toone example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of a terminal block of the powertool of FIG. 3 according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a back (i.e., rear) view of a modified terminal block of thepower tool of FIG. 3 according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates an insertable wireless communication deviceaccording to another example embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a terminal block of the power tool of FIG. 3according to another example embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a block diagram of the power tool according to oneexample embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a block diagram of the insertable wirelesscommunication device of FIGS. 7A, 7B and 12 according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a schematic diagram of the insertable wirelesscommunication device of FIGS. 7A, 7B and 12 according to another exampleembodiment.

FIG. 17A is a side profile view of the insertable wireless communicationdevice of FIGS. 7A, 7B and 12 according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 17B is a side profile view of an insertable wireless communicationdevice according to another example embodiment.

FIG. 18A is a perspective view of an insertable wireless communicationdevice according to another example embodiment

FIG. 18B is a perspective view of a terminal block of the power tool ofFIG. 3 according to another example embodiment with the outer walls ofthe terminal block shown partially transparently.

FIG. 18C is a perspective view of the battery pack receiving portion ofthe power tool of FIG. 3 according to another example embodiment withpart of the housing removed and part of the housing shown partiallytransparently.

FIG. 19A is a perspective view of an insertable wireless communicationdevice according to another example embodiment.

FIG. 19B is a top view of the insertable wireless communication deviceof FIG. 19A according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 19C is a side view of the insertable wireless communication deviceof FIG. 19A according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 19D is a zoomed-in perspective view of a side wall of theinsertable wireless communication device of FIG. 19A according to oneexample embodiment.

FIG. 19E illustrates the insertable wireless communication device ofFIG. 19A inserted into an insertable device compartment of a power toolaccording to one example embodiment.

FIG. 20 illustrates a side profile view of the battery pack receivingportion of the power tool of FIG. 3 where a terminal block for aninsertable wireless communication device is separate from a terminalblock for the battery pack according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating the power toolof FIG. 3 according to one example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limited. The use of“including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. The terms “mounted,” “connected” and“coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmounting, connecting and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled”are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings,and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct orindirect.

It should be noted that a plurality of hardware and software baseddevices, as well as a plurality of different structural components maybe utilized to implement the invention. Furthermore, and as described insubsequent paragraphs, the specific configurations illustrated in thedrawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention and thatother alternative configurations are possible. The terms “processor”“central processing unit” and “CPU” are interchangeable unless otherwisestated. Where the terms “processor” or “central processing unit” or“CPU” are used as identifying a unit performing specific functions, itshould be understood that, unless otherwise stated, those functions canbe carried out by a single processor, or multiple processors arranged inany form, including parallel processors, serial processors, tandemprocessors or cloud processing/cloud computing configurations.

Throughout this application, the term “approximately” is used todescribe the dimensions of various components. In some situations, theterm “approximately” means that the described dimension is within 1% ofthe stated value, within 5% of the stated value, within 10% of thestated value, or the like. When the term “and/or” is used in thisapplication, it is intended to include any combination of the listedcomponents. For example, if a component includes A and/or B, thecomponent may include solely A, solely B, or A and B.

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system 100. The communication system100 includes power tool devices 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, and 104 d, eachgenerically referred to as the power tool 104, and an external device108. The power tool devices 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d each include awireless communication controller to enable wireless communicationbetween the power tool 104 and the external device 108 while they arewithin a communication range of each other. Some of the power tooldevices 104 d include the wireless communication device integrated intothe power tool device 104 d such that insertion or removal of thewireless communication device is prevented (i.e., installed within thehousing of the power tool 104 at the time of manufacturing the powertool 104). Other power tool devices 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, however,include an insertable device compartment configured to receive thewireless communication device (e.g., an insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205, and 1705 as explained in greater detailbelow). The insertable device compartment allows the wirelesscommunication device to be optionally added to the power tool 104 as anaccessory after manufacturing of the power tool 104. In someembodiments, the wireless communication device that is optionally addedto the power tool 104 includes an irreversible lock that, once engagedwith the wireless communication device, cannot be unlocked (except byauthorized service personnel) as explained in greater detail below. Insome embodiments, the insertable device compartment is configured toreceive a dummy module (e.g., a plastic housing without internalelectronic components) that may be installed at the time ofmanufacturing the power tool but may be later removed and replaced witha wireless communication device by a user if desired.

When the power tool devices 104 a, 104 b, 104 c include the wirelesscommunication device in the insertable device compartment, the powertool devices 104 a, 140 b, 104 c can operate similar to the power tooldevice 104 d as if the wireless communication device was integrallyformed within the power tool 104. The power tool 104 may communicatepower tool status, power tool operation statistics, power toolidentification, stored power tool usage information, power toolmaintenance data, and the like. Therefore, using the external device108, a user can access stored power tool usage or power tool maintenancedata. With this tool data, a user can determine how the power tool 104has been used, whether maintenance is recommended or has been performedin the past, and identify malfunctioning components or other reasons forcertain performance issues. The external device 108 can also transmitdata to the power tool 104 for power tool configuration, firmwareupdates, or to send commands (e.g., turn on a work light, lock the powertool 104, and the like). The external device 108 also allows a user toset operational parameters, performance parameters, select tool modes,and the like for the power tool 104 (e.g., adjust operating modes orparameters of the power tool 104 such as motor speed, motor ramp-up,torque, and the like). The external device 108 may also communicate witha remote server 112 and may receive configuration and/or settings forthe power tool 104, or may transmit operational data or other power toolstatus information to the remote server 112.

The external device 108 may be, for example, a laptop computer, a tabletcomputer, a smartphone, a cellphone, or another electronic devicecapable of communicating wirelessly with the power tool 104 andproviding a user interface. The external device 108 provides the userinterface and allows a user to access and interact with toolinformation. The external device 108 can receive user inputs todetermine operational parameters, enable or disable features, and thelike. The user interface of the external device 108 provides aneasy-to-use interface for the user to control and customize operation ofthe power tool 104.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the external device 108 includes an external deviceelectronic processor 114, a short-range transceiver 118, a networkcommunication interface 122, a touch display 126, and a memory 130. Theexternal device electronic processor 114 is coupled to the short-rangetransceiver 118, the network communication interface 122, the touchdisplay 126, and the memory 130. The short-range transceiver 118, whichmay include or is coupled to an antenna (not shown), is configured tocommunicate with a compatible transceiver within the power tool 104. Theshort-range transceiver 118 can also communicate with other electronicdevices. The network communication interface 122 communicates with anetwork to enable communication with the remote server 112. The networkcommunication interface 122 may include circuitry that enables theexternal device 108 to communicate with the network. In someembodiments, the network may be an Internet network, a cellular network,another network, or a combination thereof.

The memory 130 of the external device 108 also stores core applicationsoftware 134. The external device electronic processor 114 accesses andexecutes the core application software 134 in memory 130 to launch acontrol application that receives inputs from the user for theconfiguration and operation of the power tool 104. The short-rangetransceiver 118 of the external device 108 is compatible with atransceiver of the power tool 104 (described in further detail below).The short-range transceiver 118 may include, for example, a Bluetooth®communication controller. The short-range transceiver 118 allows theexternal device 108 to communicate with the power tool 104.

The remote server 112 may store data obtained by the external device 108from, for example, the power tool 104. The remote server 112 may alsoprovide additional functionality and services to the user. In oneembodiment, storing the information on the remote server 112 allows auser to access the information from a plurality of different devices andlocations (e.g., a remotely located desktop computer). In anotherembodiment, the remote server 112 may collect information from varioususers regarding their power tool devices and provide statistics orstatistical measures to the user based on information obtained from thedifferent power tools. For example, the remote server 112 may providestatistics regarding the experienced efficiency of the power tool 104,typical usage of the power tool 104, and other relevant characteristicsand/or measures of the power tool 104. In some embodiments, the powertool 104 may be configured to communicate directly with the server 112through an additional wireless interface or with the same wirelessinterface that the power tool 104 uses to communicate with the externaldevice 108.

The power tool 104 is configured to perform one or more specific tasks(e.g., drilling, cutting, fastening, pressing, lubricant application,sanding, heating, grinding, bending, forming, impacting, polishing,lighting, etc.). For example, an impact wrench is associated with thetask of generating a rotational torque to a socket to turn a fastener(e.g., a bolt), while a reciprocating saw is associated with the task ofgenerating a reciprocating output motion (e.g., for pushing and pullinga saw blade). The task(s) associated with a particular tool may also bereferred to as the primary function(s) of the tool.

Although the power tool 104 illustrated and described herein is areciprocating saw, embodiments of the invention similarly apply to andcan be used in conjunction with a variety of power tools and/oraccessories. For instance, the power tool 104 may be another power tool,test and measurement equipment, a vacuum cleaner, a worksite radio,outdoor power equipment, a vehicle, or another device. Power tools caninclude drills, circular saws, jig saws, band saws, reciprocating saws,screw drivers, angle grinders, straight grinders, hammers, multi-tools,impact wrenches, rotary hammers, impact drivers, angle drills, pipecutters, grease guns, and the like. Test and measurement equipment caninclude digital multimeters, clamp meters, fork meters, wall scanners,IR thermometers, laser distance meters, laser levels, remote displays,insulation testers, moisture meters, thermal imagers, inspectioncameras, and the like. Vacuum cleaners can include stick vacuums, handvacuums, upright vacuums, carpet cleaners, hard surface cleaners,canister vacuums, broom vacuums, and the like. Outdoor power equipmentcan include blowers, chain saws, edgers, hedge trimmers, lawn mowers,trimmers, and the like. Other devices can include electronic key boxes,calculators, cellular phones, head phones, cameras, motion sensingalarms, flashlights, worklights, weather information display devices, aportable power source, a digital camera, a digital music player, aradio, and multi-purpose cutters.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the power tool 104 defines a longitudinal axis A.The power tool 104 includes a housing including a main body 202 (i.e., amotor housing portion), a handle assembly 204, and a battery packreceiving portion 206 that receives a battery pack 207. The power tool104 also includes a selection switch 208, an output drive device ormechanism 210, and a trigger 212 (or other actuator). The power tool 104further includes a motor 214 within the main body 202 of the housing andhaving a rotor 280 and a stator 285 (see FIG. 14 ). The rotor 280 iscoupled to a motor shaft arranged to produce an output outside of thehousing via the output drive device or mechanism 210. A drive mechanism215 (i.e., a transmission) converts rotational motion of the motor 214to reciprocating motion of a reciprocating spindle to reciprocate a sawblade in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis Aof the power tool 104. The saw blade (not shown) is attachable to theoutput drive device 210 via a blade holder (e.g., a blade clamp). Thepower tool 104 further includes a shoe 219 that is pivotally mounted ona distal end of the power tool 104 away from the main body 202. In otherconstructions, the shoe 219 may be fixedly mounted to the power tool104, or mounted in other suitable ways. In other constructions, othertypes of shoes 219 are employed. The shoe 219 provides a guiding surfacefor resting the power tool 104 against a workpiece (not shown) duringcutting operations. The handle assembly 204 includes a grip portion 217and the trigger 212 adjacent the grip portion 217 for actuating themotor 214. The trigger 212 is positioned such that a user can actuatethe trigger 212 using the same hand that is holding the grip portion217, for example, with an index finger.

The housing of the power tool 104 (e.g., the main body 202, the handle204, and the battery pack receiving portion 206) are composed of adurable and light-weight plastic material. The drive device 210 iscomposed of a metal (e.g., steel). The drive device 210 on the powertool 104 of FIG. 3 is a blade holder. However, each power tool 104 mayhave a different drive device 210 specifically designed for the taskassociated with the power tool 104. For example, the drive device 210for a power drill may include a bit driver or chuck, while the drivedevice 210 for a pipe cutter may include a blade or blade holder. Theselection switch 208 is configured to select an operation mode for thepower tool 104. Different operation modes may have different speed ortorque levels, or may control the power tool 104 based on different setsof parameters. In some embodiments, the selection switch 208 is a modepad 208. The mode pad 208 allows a user to select a mode of the powertool 104 and indicates to the user the currently selected mode of thepower tool 104.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the battery pack receiving portion 206.The battery pack receiving portion 206 is configured to receive andcouple to the battery pack 207. In some embodiments, the battery pack207 is the power tool device 104 b illustrated in FIG. 1 . The batterypack 207 provides power to the power tool 104. The battery pack 207 mayalso be referred to as a main power source. The battery pack receivingportion 206 of the power tool 104 includes a terminal block 505 (seeFIG. 5 ) and a battery pack compartment 535 including battery packsupport structure to receive and support the battery pack 207. Forexample, the battery pack support structure may include rails 510 thatengage the battery pack 207 to secure the battery pack 207 to the powertool 104 to physically and electrically connect the battery pack 207 tothe power tool 104 via the terminal block 505. For example, the batterypack 207 may include a raised portion 605 with guide rails 610 (see FIG.6 ) to allow the battery pack 207 to slidably engage corresponding rails510 (see FIG. 5 ) on the battery pack receiving portion 206. In someembodiments, the battery pack 207 also includes latching tabs 615 thatare spring-biased and configured to engage corresponding structures ofthe battery pack receiving portion 206 to secure the battery pack 207 tothe power tool 104. To remove the battery pack 207 from the power tool104, actuators 405 of the battery pack 207 that are mechanically linkedto the latching tabs 615 are pressed inward to cause the latching tabs615 to move inward and disengage from the corresponding structure in thebattery pack receiving portion 206 and allow the battery pack 207 to beslidably removed from the power tool 104.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the battery pack receiving portion 206with half of the housing removed from the power tool 104 and with thebattery pack 207 detached from the power tool 104. As shown in FIG. 5 ,the terminal block 505 includes male terminals 515 (i.e., tool terminals515) that make physical and electrical contact with female terminals 620of the battery pack 207 (i.e., battery terminals 620) when the batterypack 207 is coupled to the battery pack receiving portion 206. Suchcontact allows for the power tool 104 to be electrically connected tothe battery pack 207. For example, two of the terminals 515 are used fortransferring power from the battery pack 207 to the power tool 104(i.e., a positive power terminal and a negative power terminal). One ormore of the other terminals 515 may be used for communication betweenthe power tool 104 and the battery pack 207. For example, each of thepower tool 104 and the battery pack 207 may include an electronicprocessor (e.g., a microcontroller) that can bidirectionally communicatewith each other. In some embodiments, one or more of the terminals 515are used to directly provide a sensor reading from a sensor of the powertool 104 or the battery pack 207 to the other of the power tool 104 andthe battery pack 207. Although FIG. 5 shows four terminals 515 on theterminal block 505, in other embodiments, the terminal block 505 mayinclude more or fewer terminals 515. Additionally, although theterminals 515 of the terminal block 505 are shown as male terminals andthe terminals 620 of the battery pack 207 are shown as female terminals,in some embodiments, the terminal block 505 may include female terminalsand the battery pack 207 may include male terminals. Although not shownin FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, a top surface 520 of the terminal block505 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to electricallyconnect to one or more of the terminals 515. The top surface 520 of theterminal block 505 may form a potting boat as shown in FIG. 5 to receivethe PCB. In some embodiments, the PCB on the top surface 520 of theterminal block 505 is a main control PCB of the power tool 104 thatincludes a microcontroller and a gate driver that drives field-effecttransistors (FETs) located on another PCB. For example, the PCB on thetop surface 520 of the terminal block 505 may include an electronicprocessor 226 explained below with respect to FIG. 14 . The electronicprocessor 226 may control tool operations such as storing loggedinformation (e.g., usage data), interfacing with the trigger 212 todetermine when the trigger 212 is actuated, controlling overloadshutdown conditions of the power tool 104, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, the battery pack receivingportion 206 of the power tool 104 includes an insertable devicecompartment 525 located above the battery pack 207 when the battery pack207 is attached to the power tool 104. In some embodiments, theinsertable device compartment 525 is configured to receive and supportan insertable wireless communication device 705 (see FIG. 7A) thatprovides enhanced functionality to the power tool 104 (e.g.,communication capabilities, tracking capabilities, etc.) as described ingreater detail below. In some embodiments, a bottom surface of theinsertable device compartment 525 is formed by a shelf 530 located abovethe battery pack 207 when the battery pack 207 is attached to the powertool 104. As shown in FIG. 5 where a portion of a clamshell housing isremoved from the power tool 104, in some embodiments, the insertabledevice compartment 525 spans a dividing line of the clamshell housing ofthe power tool 104 where one portion of the insertable devicecompartment 525 (i.e., a left portion) is included on one piece of theclamshell housing (i.e., a left piece) and another portion of theinsertable device compartment 525 (i.e., a right portion) is included onanother piece of the clamshell housing (i.e., a right piece).

Also as shown in FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, the insertable devicecompartment 525 is located underneath the top surface 520 of theterminal block 505 but above the battery pack 207 when the battery pack207 is attached to the power tool 104. To allow for such an arrangement,in some embodiments, the terminal block 505 and its terminals 515 havean increased height compared to terminal blocks of power tools that donot include the insertable device compartment 525. This increased heightof the terminal block 505 and the terminals 515 allow the insertablewireless communication device 705 to share the same terminal block 505and/or at least some of the same terminals 515 with the battery pack207. In other words, both the battery pack 207 and the insertablewireless communication device 705 are physically and electricallyconnected to one or more of the same terminals 515 of the terminal block505. Such a shared terminal arrangement is useful because many differenttypes of power tools (e.g., reciprocating saws, drills, circular saws,etc.) have different housing shapes and designs. However, such powertools often have identical battery pack receiving portions when thepower tools are made by the same manufacturer (e.g., to allow the samebattery pack to be used with multiple different power tools). Thus, amodification of the battery pack receiving portion 206 to include theinsertable device compartment 525 as shown in FIG. 5 may be universallyimplemented across many different types of power tools despite thedifference in housing shapes and designs of the different types of powertools.

As shown in FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, the shelf 530 acts as apartition that separates the insertable device compartment 525 and thebattery pack compartment 535. In some embodiments, the shelf 530 islocated on a plane approximately perpendicular to the terminals 515 thatdivides the terminals 515 into an upper portion and a lower portion. Forexample, the upper portion of the terminals 515 is the portion of theterminals 515 that is located above the plane on which the shelf 530 islocated. In other words, the upper portion of the terminals 515 islocated in the insertable device compartment 525. The lower portion ofthe terminals 515 is the portion of the terminals 515 that is locatedabove the plane on which the shelf 530 is located. In other words, thelower portion of the terminals 515 is located in the battery packcompartment 535. As shown in FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, the terminals515 extend from the terminal block 505 through the insertable devicecompartment 525 and into the battery pack compartment 535. The toolterminals 515 in such embodiments are configured to be physically andelectrically connected to at least one of the group consisting of thebattery terminals 620 and device terminals 710 of the insertablewireless communication device 705 as described in greater detail below.Although the tool terminals 515 are shown in FIG. 5 as including a flatrectangular shape where the entire terminal 515 lies in a singlevertical plane, in other embodiments, one or more of the tool terminals515 vary in size, shape, and/or plane location as illustrated by thelonger terminals 1838 shown in FIG. 18B. In some embodiments, varyingthe size, shape, and/or plane location of one or more of the toolterminals 515 allows such terminals to physically and electricallyconnect to battery terminals 620 and/or device terminals 710 that have adifferent size or shape than each other and/or that are located indifferent vertical plane than each other.

In some embodiments, the height (i.e., thickness) of the insertablewireless communication device 705 is less than approximately one inch(i.e., less than approximately twenty-five millimeters) in order toreduce the increase in height of the battery pack receiving portion 206,the terminal block 505, and the terminals 515 resulting fromaccommodating the insertable device compartment 525 and the insertablewireless communication device 705. In some embodiments, the height ofthe insertable wireless communication device 705 and/or the height ofthe insertable device compartment 525 is less than approximately twentymillimeters, is less than approximately fifteen millimeters, is lessthan approximately twelve millimeters, is less than approximately tenmillimeters, is between ten and twenty-five millimeters, is between tenand twenty millimeters, or is between ten and fifteen millimeters. Insome embodiments, the height of the insertable wireless communicationdevice 705 is approximately 11.7 millimeters. In some embodiments, theheight (i.e., thickness) of the insertable wireless communication device705 mentioned above is the height of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705 from a bottom surface 720 of the insertablewireless communication device 705 that faces the battery pack 207 whenthe insertable wireless communication device 705 and the battery pack207 are attached to the power tool 104 to a top surface 725 of theinsertable wireless communication device 705 that faces the top of theterminal block 505 when the insertable wireless communication device 705is attached to the power tool 104. For example, see height H of theinsertable wireless communication device 705 shown in the side profileview of the battery pack receiving portion 206 with part of the housingremoved in FIG. 8 .

FIG. 7B is a top view of the insertable wireless communication device705 with a top part of the housing of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705 removed. As shown in FIG. 7B, the insertablewireless communication device 705 includes a PCB 730 that includescomponents that provide enhanced functionality to the power tool 104(e.g., communication capabilities, tracking capabilities, etc.) asdescribed in greater detail below. FIG. 7B illustrates approximatedimensions (i.e., length and width) of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705 and the PCB 730. In the embodiment shown, thelength of the insertable wireless communication device 705 isapproximately fifty-three millimeters and the width of the insertablewireless communication device 705 is approximately forty-eightmillimeters. In some embodiments, the PCB 730 has a length ofapproximately forty millimeters, a width of approximately forty-fivemillimeters, and a height (i.e., thickness) of approximately 4.7millimeters. In some embodiments, the surface area of the PCB 730 (i.e.,the area defined by the length and the width) allows all components thatare mounted on the PCB 730 to be mounted on single surface of the PCB730, which reduces the height of the insertable wireless communicationdevice 705.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the insertable wireless communication device 705also includes a light-emitting diode (LED) window 715 that allows an LEDthat is connected to the PCB 730 to provide information to the user asexplained in greater detail below. As shown in FIG. 9 , while thebattery pack 207 covers part of the back (i.e., rear) of the insertablewireless communication device 705 (i.e., the bottom part), part of theback of the insertable wireless communication device 705 (i.e., the toppart) remains exposed and, thus, allows the LED window 715 to beviewable above the battery pack 207 when the battery pack 207 is coupledto the power tool 104. In particular, the LED window 715 is located justabove a display 905 of the battery pack 207 that provides information toa user (e.g., a fuel gauge that indicates charge level of the batterypack 207). Accordingly, a user can easily view both the display 905 ofthe battery pack 207 and the LED window 715 of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705 because they are located adjacent to eachother. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , when the battery pack 207 is coupledto and supported by the battery pack receiving portion 206, the batterypack 207 at least partially blocks an opening of the insertable devicecompartment 525 such that the insertable wireless communication device530 may not be removed from the insertable device compartment 525 if ithas been previously inserted. In other words, a top portion of thebattery pack 207 overlaps a horizontal plane defined by the insertabledevice compartment 525 as indicated in FIG. 8 .

As shown in FIG. 7A, the insertable wireless communication device 705includes female terminals 710 (i.e., device terminals 710) that aresimilar to the terminals 620 of the battery pack 207. In other words,the terminals 710 of the insertable wireless communication device 705may be the same type of terminal as the terminals 620 of the batterypack 207. The terminals 710 engage one or more terminals 515 of theterminal block 505 when the insertable wireless communication device 705is located in the insertable device compartment 525 and attached to thepower tool 104. In other words, the terminals 710 are physically andelectrically coupled to at least one of the terminals 515 of theterminal block 505 of the power tool 104. The terminals 710 may be usedfor similar purposes as the terminals 620 of the battery pack 207. Forexample, two of the terminals 710 are used for transferring power fromthe battery pack 207 to the insertable wireless communication device 705(i.e., a positive power terminal and a negative power terminal) toprovide power to the electrical components inside the insertablewireless communication device 705 and/or to charge an internal battery(e.g., a coin cell) of the insertable wireless communication device 705,as explained in greater detail below. One or more of the other terminals710 may be used for communication between the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705 and at least one of the power tool 104 and thebattery pack 207. For example, the insertable wireless communicationdevice 705 includes a wireless communication circuit that allows theexternal device 108 to bidirectionally communicate with at least one ofan electronic processor of the power tool 104 and an electronicprocessor of the battery pack 207 via the wireless communicationcircuit. In some embodiments, one or more of the terminals 710 is usedto directly receive a sensor reading from a sensor of at least one ofthe power tool 104 and the battery pack 207.

As explained above, in some embodiments, the terminals 620 of thebattery pack 207 and the terminals 710 of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705 are physically and electrically connected toone or more of the same terminals 515 of the terminal block 505 of thepower tool 104. In other words, the terminals 620 and the terminals 710are connected to one or more shared terminals of the terminals 515 (forexample, see FIGS. 8 and 9 ). In some embodiments, at least one of thebattery pack 207 and the insertable wireless communication device 705include at least one terminal that is connected to a terminal of theterminals 515 of the power tool 104 that is not shared with the other ofthe battery pack 207 and the insertable wireless communication device705. For example, FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the terminalblock 505 shown in previous figures. The terminal block 505 includesfour shared terminals 515 that are physically and electricallycoupleable to both the battery pack 207 and the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705. FIG. 11 is a back (i.e., rear) view of amodified terminal block 1105 according to another embodiment. Themodified terminal block 1105 still includes the four terminals 515 thatphysically and electrically couple to the battery pack 207. However, themodified terminal block 1105 additionally includes four other terminals1110 (i.e., tool terminals 1110) that physically and electrically coupleto the insertable wireless communication device 705 but not to thebattery pack 207. In such embodiments, the terminals 710 of theinsertable wireless communication device 705 may be modified accordinglyto physically and electrically couple to the terminals 1110 of themodified terminal block 1105. In embodiments that utilize the modifiedterminal block 1105, the insertable wireless communication device 705may still be configured to physically and electrically couple with atleast one shared terminal 515 (e.g., to receive power from the batterypack 207 via power terminals). In other words, at least one of theinsertable wireless communication device 705 and the battery pack 207physically and electrically couples to at least one shared terminal(e.g., one or more terminal of the terminals 515) and one unsharedterminal (e.g., one or more terminals of the terminals 1110).Alternatively, the insertable wireless communication device 705 may beconfigured to physically and electrically couple solely with theterminals 1110 such that there are no shared terminals between theinsertable wireless communication device 705 and the battery pack 207.In all of the above-noted embodiments, the terminal block 505, 1105 isnevertheless a common interface for two different devices (i.e., thebattery pack 207 and the insertable wireless communication device 705).

As shown in FIG. 11 , in some embodiments, terminals 1110 that are to becoupled to the insertable wireless communication device 705 and that arenot coupleable to the battery pack 207 (i.e., unshared terminals) have ashorter height than the terminals 515 that are shared terminals orterminals that are to be coupled solely to the battery pack 207. Asshown in FIG. 11 , in some embodiments, the terminals 1110 do not extendthrough a plane 1115 on which the shelf 530 is located. In suchembodiments, the terminals 1110 extend from the terminal block 1105 intothe insertable device compartment 525 without extending into the batterypack compartment 535. Although FIG. 11 illustrates four terminals 515and four terminals 1110, in some embodiments, the terminal block 1105may include more or fewer terminals 515 and/or 1110. Additionally,although the terminals 515 and 1110 of the terminal block 1105 are shownas male terminals, in some embodiments, the terminal block 1105 mayinclude female terminals and the battery pack 207 and the insertablewireless communication device 705 may include male terminals.

FIG. 12 illustrates an insertable wireless communication device 1205similar to the insertable wireless communication device 705, and theprevious description thereof applies to the wireless communicationdevice 1205 except that the wireless communication device 1205 includessnap members 1210 that are used to secure the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1205 to a terminal block of the power tool 104.With reference to FIG. 13 where part of the clamshell housing isremoved, the insertable wireless communication device 1205 is insertedinto insertable device compartment 525 until the snap members 1210settle into grooves 1310 on lateral sides of a terminal block 1305 thatis similar to the terminal block 505, 1105 explained previously herein,but for the addition of the grooves 1310. In some embodiments, an edgeof the snap members 1210 that enters the grooves 1310 includes a returnangle to allow removal of the insertable wireless communication device1205. A larger return angle than insert angle on the snap members 1210makes it is easier to insert the insertable wireless communicationdevice 1205 and more difficult to remove the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1205. For example, in some embodiments, theinsertable wireless communication device 1205 is not intended to beremoved by a user once the insertable wireless communication device 1205is installed in the insertable device compartment 525. However, theinsertable wireless communication device 1205 may be removable byauthorized personnel at a service center. In other embodiments, theinsertable wireless communication device 1205 may be removable by a userafter installation in the insertable device compartment 525. The snapmembers 1210 and the grooves 1310 are merely an example of one manner inwhich the insertable wireless communication device 1205 may be securedto the power tool 104 in the insertable device compartment 525. In otherembodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 705 and/or1205 is secured to the power tool 104 in other manners.

FIG. 14 illustrates a block diagram of the power tool 104 according toone example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14 , the power tool 104includes the motor 214 that includes the rotor 280 and the stator 285.The motor 214 actuates the drive device 210 and allows the drive device210 to perform the particular task. The battery pack 207 couples to thepower tool 104 via a battery pack interface 222 and provides electricalpower to energize the motor 214. The trigger 212 is coupled with atrigger switch 213. The trigger 212 moves in a first direction towardsthe handle 204 when the trigger 212 is depressed by the user. Thetrigger 212 is biased (e.g., with a spring) such that it moves in asecond direction away from the handle 204, when the trigger 212 isreleased by the user. When the trigger 212 is depressed by the user, thetrigger switch 213 becomes activated, which causes the motor 214 to beenergized. When the trigger 212 is released by the user, the triggerswitch 213 becomes deactivated, and the motor 214 is de-energized.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the power tool 104 also includes a switchingnetwork 216, sensors 218, indicators 220, a power input unit 224, and anelectronic processor 226. The battery pack interface 222 includes acombination of mechanical (e.g., the battery pack receiving portion 206including battery support structure) and electrical components (e.g.,terminals 515) configured to and operable for interfacing (e.g.,mechanically, electrically, and communicatively connecting) the powertool 104 with the battery pack 207. The battery pack interface 222transmits the power received from the battery pack 207 to the powerinput unit 224. The power input unit 224 includes combinations of activeand passive components (e.g., voltage step-down controllers, voltageconverters, rectifiers, filters, etc.) to regulate or control the powerreceived through the battery pack interface 222 and provided to theinsertable wireless communication device 705, 1205 and the electronicprocessor 226.

The switching network 216 enables the electronic processor 226 tocontrol the operation of the motor 214. Generally, when the trigger 212is depressed (i.e., the trigger switch 213 is closed), electricalcurrent is supplied from the battery pack interface 222 to the motor214, via the switching network 216. When the trigger 212 is notdepressed, electrical current is not supplied from the battery packinterface 222 to the motor 214. In some embodiments, the trigger switch213 may include sensors to detect the amount of trigger pull (e.g.,released, 20% pull, 50% pull, 75% pull, or fully depressed). In someembodiments, the amount of trigger pull detected by the trigger switch213 is related to or corresponds to a desired speed of rotation of themotor 214. In other embodiments, the amount of trigger pull detected bythe trigger switch 213 is related to or corresponds to a desired torque,or other parameter. In response to the electronic processor 226receiving the activation signal from the trigger switch 213, theelectronic processor 226 activates the switching network 216 to providepower to the motor 214. The switching network 216 controls the amount ofcurrent available to the motor 214 and thereby controls the speed andtorque output of the motor 214. The switching network 216 may includeseveral field effect transistors (FETs), bipolar transistors, or othertypes of electrical switches, such as six FETs in a bridge arrangement.The electronic processor 226, in some embodiments, drives successiveswitching elements of the switching network 216 with respective pulsewidth modulation (PWM) signals to alternately drive stator coils of thestator 285, thus inducing rotation of the rotor 280. Although the powertool 104 is described above as including the switching network 216 thatcontrols PWM signals to alternatively drive the motor 214 that may be abrushless direct current (DC) motor, in other embodiments, the motor 214may include a brushed motor that is driven in accordance with brushedmotor control techniques or other types of motors driven in accordancewith corresponding other types of motor control techniques.

The sensors 218 are coupled to the electronic processor 226 andcommunicate to the electronic processor 226 various signals indicativeof different parameters of the power tool 104 or the motor 214. Thesensors 218 include, for example, one or more current sensors, one ormore voltage sensors, one or more temperature sensors, one or more speedsensors, one or more Hall Effect sensors, etc. For example, the speed ofthe motor 214 can be determined using a plurality of Hall Effect sensorsto sense the rotational position of the motor 214. In some embodiments,the electronic processor 226 controls the switching network 216 inresponse to signals received from the sensors 218. For example, if theelectronic processor 226 determines that the speed of the motor 214 isincreasing too rapidly based on information received from the sensors218, the electronic processor 226 may adapt or modify the activeswitches or switching sequence within the switching network 216 toreduce the speed of the motor 214. Data obtained via the sensors 218 maybe saved in the electronic processor 226 as tool usage data.

The indicators 220 are also coupled to the electronic processor 226 andreceive control signals from the electronic processor 226 to turn on andoff or otherwise convey information based on different states of thepower tool 104. The indicators 220 include, for example, one or morelight-emitting diodes (“LED”), or a display screen. The indicators 220can be configured to display conditions of, or information associatedwith, the power tool 104. For example, the indicators 220 are configuredto indicate measured electrical characteristics of the power tool 104,the status of the power tool 104, etc. The indicators 220 may alsoinclude elements to convey information to a user through audible ortactile outputs.

As described above, the electronic processor 226 is electrically and/orcommunicatively connected to a variety of components of the power tool104. In some embodiments, the electronic processor 226 includes aplurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power,operational control, and protection to the components within theelectronic processor 226 and/or power tool 104. For example, theelectronic processor 226 includes, among other things, a processing unit230 (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or another suitableprogrammable device), a memory 232, input units 234, and output units236. The processing unit 230 includes, among other things, a controlunit 240, an arithmetic logic unit (“ALU”) 242, and a plurality ofregisters 244 (shown as a group of registers in FIG. 14 ). In someembodiments, the electronic processor 226 is implemented partially orentirely on a semiconductor (e.g., a field-programmable gate array[“FPGA”] semiconductor) chip, such as a chip developed through aregister transfer level (“RTL”) design process.

The memory 232 includes, for example, a program storage area 233 a and adata storage area 233 b. The program storage area 233 a and the datastorage area 233 b can include combinations of different types ofmemory, such as read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”)(e.g., dynamic RAM [“DRAM”], synchronous DRAM [“SDRAM”], etc.),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), flashmemory, a hard disk, an SD card, or other suitable magnetic, optical,physical, or electronic memory devices. The processing unit 230 isconnected to the memory 232 and executes software instructions that arecapable of being stored in a RAM of the memory 232 (e.g., duringexecution), a ROM of the memory 232 (e.g., on a generally permanentbasis), or another non-transitory computer readable medium such asanother memory or a disc. Software included in the implementation of thepower tool 104 can be stored in the memory 232 of the electronicprocessor 226. The software includes, for example, firmware, one or moreapplications, program data, filters, rules, and other executableinstructions. The electronic processor 226 is configured to retrievefrom memory and execute, among other things, instructions related to thecontrol processes and methods described herein. The electronic processor226 is also configured to store power tool information on the memory232. The power tool information stored on the memory 232 may includepower tool identification information (e.g., including a uniqueidentifier of the power tool 104) and also power tool operationalinformation including information regarding the usage of the power tool104, information regarding the maintenance of the power tool 104, powertool trigger event information, parameter information to operate thepower tool 104 in a particular mode, and other information relevant tooperating or maintaining the power tool 104. In other constructions, theelectronic processor 226 includes additional, fewer, or differentcomponents.

The electronic processor 226 also includes a data connection (e.g., acommunication channel) 262 to optionally couple to the insertablewireless communication device 705, 1205. In some embodiments, the dataconnection 262 includes one or more wires (and/or a ribbon cable) thatare connected from the electronic processor 226 to one or more terminals515, 1110 of the terminal block 505, 1105. When the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 is inserted into the insertable devicecompartment 525, the terminals 710 of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 connect with one or more terminals 515and/or 1110 of the terminal block 505, 1105 and communication betweenthe electronic processor 226 and the insertable wireless communicationdevice 705, 1205 is thereby enabled (for example, see FIGS. 8 and 13 ).

FIG. 15 illustrates a block diagram of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 according to one example embodiment. Theinsertable wireless communication device 705, 1205 enables theelectronic processor 226 of the power tool 104 to communicate with theexternal device 108 to transmit power tool data (e.g., power tool usagedata, configuration data, maintenance data, and the like) and to receivepower tool configuration data (e.g., settings for operating the powertool 104 in a particular mode and the like) and commands to controlpower tool components (e.g., turn on a work light, lock the power tool104, and the like). As shown in FIG. 15 , the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 includes a wireless communicationcontroller 250, a backup power source 252 (e.g., a coin cell battery,another type of battery cell, a capacitor, or another energy storagedevice), and a real-time clock (RTC) 260. In some embodiments, the RTC260 is part of the wireless communication controller 250 as shown inFIG. 15 . In other embodiments, however, the RTC 260 is part of thepower tool 104 and is permanently connected to the electronic processor226. In some embodiments, the insertable wireless communication device705, 1205 also includes an indicator light 320 (e.g., an LED that isviewable through the LED window 715 shown in FIG. 7A).

The wireless communication controller 250 includes an antenna and radiotransceiver 254, a memory 256, an electronic processor 258, and thereal-time clock (RTC) 260. The antenna and radio transceiver 254 operatetogether to send and receive wireless messages to and from an externaldevice 108 and the electronic processor 258. The memory 256 can storeinstructions to be implemented by the electronic processor 258 and/ormay store data related to communications between the power tool 104 andthe external communication device 108 or the like. The electronicprocessor 258 for the wireless communication controller 250 controlswireless communications between the power tool 104 and the externaldevice 108. For example, the electronic processor 258 associated withthe wireless communication controller 250 buffers incoming and/oroutgoing data, communicates with the electronic processor 226 of thepower tool 104, and determines the communication protocol and/orsettings to use in wireless communications. In other words, the wirelesscommunication controller 250 is configured to receive data from thepower tool electronic processor 226 and relay the information to theexternal device 108 via the antenna and transceiver 254. In a similarmanner, the wireless communication controller 250 is configured toreceive information (e.g., configuration and programming information)from the external device 108 via the antenna and transceiver 254 andrelay the information to the power tool electronic processor 226.

In the illustrated embodiment, the wireless communication controller 250is a Bluetooth® controller. The Bluetooth® controller communicates withthe external device 108 employing the Bluetooth® protocol. Therefore, inthe illustrated embodiment, the external device 108 and the power tool104 are within a communication range (i.e., in proximity) of each otherwhile they exchange data. In other embodiments, the wirelesscommunication controller 250 communicates using other protocols (e.g.,Wi-Fi, cellular protocols, etc.) over a different type of wirelessnetwork. For example, the wireless communication controller 250 may beconfigured to communicate via Wi-Fi through a wide area network such asthe Internet or a local area network, or to communicate through apiconet (e.g., using infrared or NFC communications). As anotherexample, the wireless communication controller 250 may be configured tocommunicate over a cellular network (e.g., using primary transceiver1625 of FIG. 16 ). The communication via the wireless communicationcontroller 250 may be encrypted to protect the data exchanged betweenthe power tool 104 and the external device 108 (or network) from thirdparties. In some embodiments, the wireless communication controller 250includes a multi-band/multi-protocol antenna. In other words, a singleantenna may be used for multiple transceivers that use differentcommunication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, GPS, cellular, etc.).In such embodiments, each transceiver may selectively connect to theantenna via a respective switch, power divider, or frequency dependentimpedance network.

Specific examples of communication capabilities between the power tool104 and the external device 108 and other capabilities of the insertablewireless communication device 705, 1205 are included in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/056,710, which was filed Aug. 7, 2018, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In someembodiments, the wireless communication controller 250 of the insertablewireless communication device 705, 1205 functions similarly as thewireless communication controller 250 of the wireless communicationdevice 300 described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/056,710. Forexample, the wireless communication controller 250 is configured toperiodically broadcast an identification signal for the power tool 104that includes unique identification information stored by the power toolmemory 232 and provided to the insertable wireless communication device705, 1205 by the power tool electronic processor 226. The identificationsignal for the power tool 104 can then be used to track the location ofthe power tool 104 (see FIG. 16 and corresponding explanation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/056,710). In some embodiments, thewireless communication controller 250 broadcasts an identificationsignal to the external device 108, and the external device 108determines its own location (e.g., using a GNSS receiver) and transmitsthe location of the external device 108 and the identificationinformation of the power tool 104 to the server 112 over a network. Suchcommunication using the external device 108 as the intermediary allowsthe approximate location of the power tool 104 to be determined becausethe insertable wireless communication device 705, 1205 is known to bewithin communication range (e.g., Bluetooth® communication range) of theexternal device 108 when the external device 108 receives thebroadcasted identification signal from the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205. In other embodiments, for example wherethe insertable wireless communication device 705, 1205 has cellularcommunication capabilities (see the embodiment of FIG. 16 explainedbelow), the insertable wireless communication device 705, 1205 may beconfigured to communicate identification information and locationinformation directly to the server 112 over the network without usingthe external device 108 as an intermediary. In such embodiments, theinsertable wireless communication device 705, 1205 may include a GNSSreceiver to determine its location (see FIG. 16 ). Such embodiments mayallow for more precise location determination of the power tool 104 anddo not require the external device 108 to serve as an intermediarybetween the insertable wireless communication device 705, 1205 and theserver 112. However, such embodiments may require additional componentsand/or larger components in the insertable wireless communication device705, 1205 that may take up limited space in the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 and in the battery pack receiving portion206 of the power tool 104. While the above embodiments involvecommunication between the insertable wireless communication device 705,1205 and the server 112 directly for tracking purposes or through theexternal device 108 as an intermediary for tracking purposes, suchcommunication between any of these devices is possible for otherpurposes as well (e.g., storing tool usage data, retrieving stored modesand/or operational parameters to program the power tool 104, retrievingfirmware updates, and the like).

As another example of a function that the wireless communicationcontroller 250 may perform, the wireless communication controller 250allows the power tool 104 to be locked out in response to user selectionon the external device 108. In other words, the external device 108 maysend a command to the power tool 104 via the wireless communicationcontroller 250 to prevent the motor 214 from operating even in responseto actuation of the trigger 212 (see FIG. 17 and correspondingexplanation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/056,710). Such acommand may control the power tool 104 to immediately lock out or tolock out at a future time. In some embodiments, the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 may lock out (i.e., disable) the powertool 104 by preventing communications between the battery pack 207 andthe power tool 104 or by sending a lock command to the electronicprocessor 226 instructing the electronic processor to not drive themotor 214 in response to actuation of the trigger 212. As anotherexample of a function that the wireless communication controller 250 mayperform, the wireless communication controller 250 may be configured tobe electronically irremovable from the power tool 104 such that thepower tool 104 is unable to operate if the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 is removed from the power tool 104 (seeFIGS. 29-31 and corresponding explanation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/056,710).

The RTC 260 increments and keeps time independently of the other powertool components. In the illustrated embodiment, the RTC 260 is poweredthrough the wireless communication controller 250 when the wirelesscommunication controller 250 is powered. In some embodiments, however,the RTC 260 is a separate component from the wireless communicationcontroller 250 and may be integrated into the power tool 104. In suchembodiments, the RTC 260 receives power from the battery pack 207 (e.g.,a main or primary power source) when the battery pack 207 is connectedto the power tool 104. The RTC 260 receives power from the backup powersource 252 (e.g., a coin cell battery, another type of battery cell, acapacitor, or another energy storage device) when the battery pack 207is not connected to the power tool 104. Therefore, the RTC 260 keepstrack of time regardless of whether the power tool 104 is in operation,and regardless of whether the battery pack 207 is connected to the powertool 104. When no power source is present (i.e., the battery pack 207 isdetached from the power tool 104 and the backup power source 252 isremoved or depleted), the RTC 260 stores the last valid time. When apower source is replaced (i.e., the battery pack 207 is attached to thepower tool 104 and/or the backup power source 252 is replaced), the RTC260 uses the stored time as a starting point to resume keeping time.

The starting time for the RTC 260 is set to current Greenwich Mean Time(GMT) time at the factory at time of manufacture. The time is updated orsynchronized whenever the wireless communication controller 250communicates with the external device 108. Because GMT time isindependent of calendar, seasons, or time schemas, using GMT time allowsthe power tool 104 or the external device 108 to convert from timeindicated by the RTC 260 to localized time for display to the user.

The backup power source 252 also provides power to the RTC 260 to enablecontinuous tracking of time. In some embodiments, the backup powersource 252 does not provide power to energize the motor 214, drive thedrive device 210, or power the power tool electronic processor 226, andgenerally only powers the wireless communication controller 250, theindicator light 320, and the RTC 260 (e.g., in embodiments in which theRTC 260 is separate from the wireless communication controller 250) whenthe battery pack 207 is not attached to the power tool 104. In otherembodiments, the backup power source 252 also provides power tolow-power elements such as, for example, LEDs, and the like. In someembodiments, the backup power source 252 also provides power to thepower tool electronic processor 226 to allow the power tool electronicprocessor 226 to communicate with the external device 108 when thebattery pack 207 is not coupled to the power tool 104. In someembodiments, the wireless communication controller 250 includes avoltage sensor 265 (see FIG. 15 ) coupled to the backup power source252. The wireless communication controller 250 uses the voltage sensor265 to determine the state of charge of the backup power source 252. Thewireless communication controller 250 may include the state of charge ofthe backup power source 252 in the identification message that isperiodically broadcasted to the external device 108. The user can thenbe alerted by the external device 108 when the state of charge of thebackup power source 252 is low.

In the illustrated embodiment, the backup power source 252 includes acoin cell battery located on the PCB 730. The coin cell battery ismerely an example power source. In some embodiments, the backup powersource 252 may be another type of battery cell, a capacitor, or anotherenergy storage device. The coin cell battery provides sufficient powerto allow the wireless communication controller 250 to broadcast at leastminimal identification information. In the illustrated embodiment, thecoin cell battery can run for several years by allowing the power tool104 to only “broadcast” or “advertise” once every few seconds whenoperating the advertisement state. However, as noted above, in someembodiments, the backup power source 252 provides power to the powertool electronic processor 226 to allow the power tool electronicprocessor 226 to communicate with the external device 108 when thebattery pack 207 is not coupled to the power tool 104.

In some embodiments, the coin cell battery is a primary (i.e.,non-rechargeable) backup battery. In other embodiments, the backup powersource 252 includes a secondary (rechargeable) backup battery cell or acapacitor. In such embodiments, the battery pack 207 provides chargingpower to recharge the secondary backup battery cell or the capacitor.For example, the power input unit 224 may include charging circuitry tocharge the backup power source 252. The rechargeable cell and capacitormay be sized to provide power for several days or weeks before needingto recharge. While FIG. 14 shows the power input unit 224 as a componentof the power tool 104 that provides power received from the battery pack207 to the insertable wireless communication device 705, 1205, in someembodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 705, 1205includes its own separate power input unit that is similar to the powerinput unit 224. For example, the power input unit of the insertablewireless communication device 705, 1205 includes combinations of activeand passive components (e.g., voltage step-down controllers, voltageconverters, rectifiers, filters, etc.) to regulate or control the powerreceived through the terminals 710 of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 from the battery pack 207 and provided tothe components of the insertable wireless communication device 705,1205. In embodiments where the insertable wireless communication device705, 1205 includes its own power input unit, additional powerconditioning circuitry specifically designed for the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 is not necessary to include in the powertool 104 because the insertable wireless communication device 705, 1205is directly coupled to the elongated terminals 515 of the terminal block505, 1105 that are also coupled to the battery pack 207. Accordingly,there may be less wires and circuit components included within thehousing of the power tool 104, which can save space within the housingof the power tool 104.

The indicator light 320 of the insertable wireless communication device705, 1205 is configured to indicate the state of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205. For example, the indicator light 320may, in a first indication state, light in a first color (or blink in afirst predetermined pattern) to indicate that the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 is currently communicating with anexternal device 108. The indicator light 320 may, in a second indicationstate, light in a second color (or blink in a second predeterminedpattern) to indicate that the power tool 104 is locked (e.g., the motor214 is inoperable because a security feature has been enabled) asdescribed above and with respect to FIG. 16 of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/056,710. For example, when the motor 214 is inoperablebecause a security feature has been enabled, the indicator light 320 mayblink in a predetermined pattern or otherwise illuminate in response tothe trigger 212 being actuated to indicate to the user that the powertool 104 has been locked out. Finally, the indicator light 320 may alsolight to indicate a level of charge of the backup power source 252. Inone example, the indicator light 320 may, in a third indication state,light in a third color (or blink in another predetermined pattern) whenthe state of charge of the backup power source 252 drops below apredetermined threshold. In some embodiments, the wireless communicationcontroller 250 may control the indicator light 320 based on the signalsreceived from the voltage sensor 265.

In some embodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 705,1205 includes more or fewer components than those shown in FIG. 15 . Forexample, the insertable wireless communication device 705, 1205 mayinclude an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and/or subscriber identity module(SIM) card. As another example of the insertable wireless communicationdevice 705, 1205 including more or fewer components than those shown inFIG. 15 , FIG. 16 illustrates a schematic diagram of the insertablewireless communication device 705, 1205 according to another exampleembodiment. As shown in FIG. 16 , the insertable wireless communicationdevice 705, 1205 additionally includes an altitude sensor 1605 to detectan altitude at which the power tool 104 is located (e.g., a pressuresensor). In some embodiments, the sensed altitude of the power tool 104is used in combination with global positioning system (GPS) informationdetermined by a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver 1615to track the location of the power tool 104. For example, using GPSinformation determined by the GNSS receiver 1615 or by a nearby externaldevice 108 that is within communication range of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 (as explained above with respect to FIG.15 where the external device 108 acts as an intermediary between thepower tool 104 and the server 112), the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 and/or the external device 108 maydetermine that the power tool 104 is located in a building with fifteenstories. For example, a latitude and longitude determination from theGNSS receiver 1615 may indicate that the power tool 104 is located atthe same latitude and longitude as the fifteen story building. Usingaltitude information determined by the altitude sensor 1605, theinsertable wireless communication device 705, 1205 and/or the externaldevice 108 may determine that the power tool 104 is located at a heightcorresponding to the ninth floor of the building. To make such adetermination as described in the previous example, the insertablewireless communication device 705, 1205 and/or the external device 108may communicate with a mapping server or another third party server thatstores building location information (e.g., the latitude and longitudeof different buildings) and building metric information (e.g., number offloors, heights of each floor, and the like). In some embodiments, thealtitude sensor 1605 may not be located in the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 and may be included inside the housing ofthe power tool 104.

In some embodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 705,1205 additionally includes a speaker 1610 (or a buzzer) to output soundas feedback to the user. For example, using the external device 108, auser may track the location of the power tool 104 to a certain area butstill may be unable to locate the precise location of the power tool104. In such situations, the user may provide a user input on theexternal device 108 that causes the external device 108 to command theinsertable wireless communication device 705, 1205 of the power tool 104to emit a sound from the speaker 1610 (or buzzer) to assist the user inlocating the power tool 104.

As shown in FIG. 16 , in some embodiments, the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 includes multiple transceivers 1625,1630, and 1635. In some embodiments, the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 includes a primary transceiver 1625(e.g., circuitry to allow for LTE CAT-M communication), a secondarytransceiver 1630 (e.g., a Bluetooth® transceiver, a WiFi transceiver, orthe like), and a short range location finding transceiver 1635 (e.g.,circuitry to allow for Ultra-Wide Band communication). In someembodiments, one or more of the transceivers 1625, 1630, and 1635 sharean antenna 1620. In some embodiments, the primary transceiver 1625communicates a location of the insertable wireless communication device705, 1205 as determined by the GNSS receiver 1615 and the altitudesensor 1605 directly to the server 112 as described in one of the aboveexamples with respect to FIG. 15 . In some embodiments, the secondarytransceiver 1630 communicates an altitude of the power tool 104 andidentification information of the power tool 104 to the external device108. The external device 108 acts as an intermediary and determines itsown location information and transmits the location of the externaldevice 108, the altitude of the power tool 104, and the identificationinformation of the power tool 104 to the server 112 as described inanother of the above examples with respect to FIG. 15 . In someembodiments, the secondary transceiver 1630 is also used to provide tooldata to the external device 108 and allow a user to adjust operationalparameters of the power tool 104 and send commands to the power tool 104using the external device 108. In some embodiments, the short rangelocation finding transceiver 1635 is used to determine a preciselocation of the power tool 104 relative to the user when the user islocated in the general vicinity of the power tool 104 but is stillunable to precisely locate the power tool 104. For example, the externaldevice 108 may display a direction in which the user should move to findthe power tool 104. For example, the short range location findingtransceiver 1635 may use ultra-wideband (UWB) location finding todetermine the location of the power tool 104 relative to the externaldevice 108. In particular, a UWB receiver on the external device 108 mayreceive multiple beacon signals from the short range location findingtransceiver 1635 as the user moves the external device 108 within aroom. The electronic processor 114 of the external device 108 maydetermine a distance between the insertable wireless communicationdevice 705, 1205 and the external device 108 for each received beaconsignal. Using these distance determinations and an accelerometer,gyroscope, GPS, or the like to keep track of the location of theexternal device 108 as it moves within the room, the electronicprocessor 114 of the external device 108 may triangulate the location ofthe insertable wireless communication device 705, 1205. The externaldevice may then display the direction in which the user should move tofind the power tool 104 to which the insertable wireless communicationdevice 705, 1205 is attached. In some embodiments, the back-up powersource 252 powers the secondary transceiver 1630 (i.e., a Bluetooth®transceiver) when the battery pack 207 is not coupled to the power tool104. In some embodiments, the primary transceiver 1625 is powered by thebattery pack 207 when the battery pack 207 is coupled to the power tool104 and is not powered when the battery pack 207 is not coupled to thepower tool 104.

In some embodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 705,1205 includes more or fewer components than those shown in FIG. 16 . Forexample, the insertable wireless communication device 705, 1205 may alsoinclude one or more of the memory 256, the RTC 260, the voltage sensor265 and the indicator light 320 as described above with respect to FIG.15 . Although FIG. 16 only shows connections to the battery pack 207from the insertable wireless communication device 705, 1205, in someembodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 705, 1205includes additional connections to the battery pack 207 and/or the powertool 104. For example, the insertable wireless communication device 705,1205 is additionally connected to the power tool 104 (e.g., tocommunicate with the power tool electronic processor 226). Suchconnections may be made via the terminals 710 of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205 as explained previously herein.

FIG. 17A is a side profile view of the insertable wireless communicationdevice 705, 1205. FIG. 17B is a side profile view of an insertablewireless communication device 1705 that is similar to the insertablewireless communication devices 705 and 1205, and the previousdescription thereof applies to the wireless communication device 1705except that the wireless communication device 1705 is modified with anincreased height at the back (i.e., rear) of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1705 to allow additional space for an antenna(e.g., a cellular antenna such as the antenna 1620). As shown in FIG.17A, approximately 4.4 millimeters of space exists between the topsurface of the PCB 730 and the top of the housing of the insertablewireless communication device 705, 1205. In some situations (e.g., whenthe antenna 1620 is configured to allow for cellular communications),additional space above the PCB 730 may be included to accommodate theantenna 1620. As shown in FIG. 17B, a back portion of the insertablewireless communication device 1705 may have an increased height to allowthe antenna 1620 to extend further upward (see extended housing portion1710). In some embodiments, the extended housing portion 1710 has aheight 1715 of between approximately two and approximately sixmillimeters compared to a height 1720 of a main body of the insertablewireless communication device 1705 that is approximately twelvemillimeters. In some embodiments the extended housing portion 1710 isless than or equal to 50% or less than or equal to 25% of the length ofthe insertable wireless communication device 1705 along an axis ofinsertion into the insertable device compartment 525. Because theextended housing portion 1710 is located on the back (i.e., rear) of theinsertable wireless communication device 1705, the remainder of theinsertable wireless communication device 1705 is able to remain small inheight in order to reduce the increase in height of the battery packreceiving portion 206, the terminal block 505, 1105, and the terminals515 resulting from accommodating the insertable device compartment 525and the insertable wireless communication device 1705. In someembodiments, a total height (i.e., thickness) of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1705 including the extended housing portion 1710 isless than approximately one inch (i.e., less than approximatelytwenty-five millimeters), is less than approximately twenty millimeters,is less than approximately fifteen millimeters, is between ten andtwenty-five millimeters, is between ten and twenty millimeters, or isbetween ten and fifteen millimeters. In some embodiments, the extendedhousing portion 1710 does not extend into the insertable devicecompartment 525 of the power tool 104. Rather, the extended housingportion 1710 may reside outside the insertable device compartment 525adjacent an outer surface of the housing of the power tool 104 to reducethe increase in height of the battery pack receiving portion 206, theterminal block 505, 1105, and the terminals 515 resulting fromaccommodating the insertable device compartment 525 and the insertablewireless communication device 1705. In some embodiments, the antenna1620 is a laser direct structuring (LDS) antenna that is located on aninternal surface of the housing of the insertable wireless communicationdevice 1705 within the extended housing portion 1710 and that may takeup less space than other types of antennas.

FIGS. 18A-18C illustrate an insertable wireless communication device1805 and terminal block 1810 according to another example embodiment.The insertable wireless communication device 1805 and the terminal block1810 are respectively similar to the insertable wireless communicationdevice 705, 1205, 1705 and the terminal block 505, 1105, and theprevious descriptions thereof respectively applies to the insertablewireless communication device 1805 and the terminal block 1810 exceptfor the differences described below. FIG. 18A is a perspective view ofthe insertable wireless communication device 1805. In some embodiments,the insertable wireless communication device 1805 includes arms 1815that extend from a front of the insertable wireless communication device1805 to secure the insertable wireless communication device 1805 to theterminal block 1810 of the power tool 104. In the embodiment shown, thearms 1815 includes holes 1820 that each receive a fastener 1825 througha hole on the housing of the battery pack receiving portion 206 (seeFIG. 18C). As shown in perspective view of FIG. 18B where the outerwalls of the terminal block 1810 are shown partially transparently toallow the inside of the terminal block 1810 to be viewed, the terminalblock 1810 may also include holes 1830 to respectively receive thefasteners 1825 to secure the insertable wireless communication device1805 to the terminal block 1810. For example, the holes 1830 and thefasteners 1825 are each threaded such that the fasteners 1825threadingly engage the holes 1830 when rotationally inserted therein.

In some embodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 1805may be removed by a user by removing the fasteners 1825. However, inother embodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 1805 isnot intended to be removed by a user once the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1805 is installed in the insertable devicecompartment 525 but may be removable by authorized personnel at aservice center using a specialized tool configured to remove thefasteners 1825. In some embodiments, one or more terminals of theterminal block 1810 include holes or cutouts 1835 that allow thefastener 1825 to pass through a plane in which the terminal lies. Asshown in FIG. 18B, in some embodiments, the terminal block 1810 includesa number of short terminals 1837 configured to electrically andphysically connect to the terminals of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1805 and a number of longer terminals 1838configured to electrically and physically connect to the terminals ofthe battery pack 207. As shown in FIG. 18B, in order to reach theterminals of the battery pack 207, the longer terminals 1838 may extendthrough a plane in which the insertable wireless communication device1805 is inserted into the battery pack receiving portion 206. In someembodiments, one or more of the longer terminals 1838 are configured toadditionally electrically and physically connect to the terminals of theinsertable wireless communication device 1805. Such longer terminals1838 may be referred to as shared terminals. In some embodiments, ashared terminal may include varying size, shape, and location such thata first portion of the shared terminal that is connected to a deviceterminal of the insertable wireless communication device 1805 mayinclude a different size or shape or may be located in a different planethan a second portion of the shared terminal that is connected to abattery terminal of the battery pack 207. In some embodiments, one ormore of the longer terminals 1838 are configured not to connect to theterminals of the insertable wireless communication device 1805. Suchlonger terminals 1838 may be referred to as unshared terminals.

In some embodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 1805includes a protrusion 1840 on the rear side of its upper surface asshown in FIG. 18A. In some embodiments, the protrusion 1840 may provideadditional space for an antenna (e.g., a cellular antenna such as theantenna 1620). In some embodiments, the protrusion 1840 is less than orequal to 50% or less than or equal to 25% of the length of theinsertable wireless communication device 1805 along an axis of insertioninto the insertable device compartment 525. In some embodiments, theinsertable wireless communication device 1805 includes a tab 1845protruding from a lower surface of the insertable wireless communicationdevice 1805. The tab 1845 may aid a user in removing the insertablewireless communication device 1805 from the battery pack receivingportion 206. Although not shown in FIGS. 18A and 18C, in someembodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 1805 mayinclude an LED and the LED window 715 as shown on the insertablewireless communication device 705, 1205, 1705.

Although FIGS. 18A-18C show a shared terminal block 1810 that includesterminals configured to electrically and physically connect to terminalsof both the insertable wireless communication device 1805 and thebattery pack 207, in some embodiments, the power tool 104 may includetwo separate terminal blocks. For example, the power tool 104 mayinclude a terminal block for the insertable wireless communicationdevice 1805 located directly above a terminal block for the battery pack207 in the same general configuration as the terminal block 1810 shownin FIGS. 18B and 18C. FIG. 20 illustrates a side profile view of anembodiment of the battery pack receiving portion 206 of the power tool104 where a terminal block 2005 for the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1805 is separate from a terminal block 2010 for thebattery pack 207. As shown in FIG. 20 , the terminal block 2005configured to receive the insertable wireless communication device 1805includes a z-shaped structure when viewed from its side profile. Thisz-shaped structure may allow for improved alignment and general ease ofassembly during manufacturing. The terminal block 2005 is located abovethe terminal block 2010 and below an internal housing 2015 (e.g., apotting boat) that may house a PCB (e.g., a control PCB that includes anelectronic processor configured to control one or more functions of thepower tool 104 such as controlling the FETs to drive the motor 214). Theterminal block 2010 includes terminals 2020 that are configured tophysically and electrically connect to battery terminals of the batterypack 207. The terminal block 2005 also includes terminals that are notshown in FIG. 20 because the insertable wireless communication device1805 is shown as connected to these terminals and obstructing the viewthereof.

FIGS. 19A-19E illustrate an insertable wireless communication device1905 according to another example embodiment. The insertable wirelesscommunication device 1905 is similar to the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205, 1705, 1805 and the previous descriptionsthereof apply to the insertable wireless communication device 1905except for the differences described below. FIG. 19A is a perspectiveview of the insertable wireless communication device 1905. FIG. 19B is atop view of the insertable communication device 1905, and FIG. 19C is aside view of the insertable communication device 1905. In someembodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 1905 includesa spring 1910 secured to side walls of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1905 via spring securement features 1915 (e.g.,clips, holders, etc.). For example, FIG. 19D is a zoomed-in perspectiveview of a side wall of the insertable wireless communication device1905. In some embodiments, the springs 1910 flex inward when theinsertable wireless communication device 1905 is inserted into theinsertable device compartment 525. For example, as the insertablewireless communication device 1905 is inserted into the insertabledevice compartment 525, walls 1920 of the insertable device compartment525 cause the springs 1910 to flex inward toward the side walls of theinsertable wireless communication device 1905. The walls 1920 of theinsertable device compartment 525 include detents 1925 that allow thesprings 1910 to relax back to its original shape (i.e., unflex andextend away from the side walls of the insertable wireless communicationdevice 1905). For example, FIG. 19E shows the spring 1910 relaxed in thedetent 1925 of the wall 1920 of the insertable device compartment 525.In some embodiments, the spring 1910 is partially relaxed when in thedetent 1925 (i.e., the spring 1910 does not relax fully back to itsoriginal shape), and does not extend outwardly as much as when thewireless communication device 1905 is outside of the insertable devicecompartment 525. In the configuration shown in FIG. 19E, the spring 1910secures the insertable wireless communication device 1905 in theinsertable device compartment 525. However, because the spring 1920includes smooth, rounded edges rather than sharp edges, the insertablewireless communication device 1905 may be removed from the insertabledevice compartment 525 in a similar manner as how it is inserted. Inother words, a user may be able to pull the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1905 with enough force such that the springs 1910flex inward and allow the insertable wireless communication device 1905to be removed from the insertable device compartment 525.

As shown in FIGS. 19A-19C, in some embodiments, the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1905 includes a protrusion 1930 that may be similarto the protrusion 1840 explained above with respect to FIGS. 18A-18C.Although FIGS. 19A-19D show the insertable wireless communication device1905 including two springs 1910 (one on each side wall of the insertablewireless communication device 1905), in some embodiments, the insertablewireless communication device 1905 may include the spring 1910 on onlyone of the two side walls of the insertable wireless communicationdevice 1905.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a method 2100 of operating the powertool 104 that includes an insertable device compartment 525 according toone or more of the embodiments explained herein. At block 2105, theinsertable device compartment 525 of the battery pack receiving portion206 of the power tool 104 receives and supports an insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205, 1705, 1805, 1905. At block 2110, abattery pack compartment 535 of the battery pack receiving portion 206of the power tool 104 receives and supports a battery pack 207. At block2115, the power tool 104 receives power from the battery pack 207 via atleast two shared tool terminals of a terminal block included in thebattery pack receiving portion 206. At block 2120, the insertablewireless communication device 705, 1205, 1705, 1805, 1905 receives powerfrom the battery pack 207 via the at least two shared tool terminals ofthe terminal block. In other words, the method 2100 allows power to bereceived by both the power tool 104 and the insertable wirelesscommunication device 705, 1205, 1705, 1805, 1905 over shared terminalsof the terminal block. As explained previously herein, shared terminalsmay additionally or alternatively be used for other purposes (e.g.,communicating data to/from the power tool 104, the battery pack 207,and/or the insertable wireless communication device 705, 1205, 1705,1805, 1905).

Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a power tool includinga compartment that receives an insertable wireless communication devicethat shares a terminal block with the battery pack of the power tool.

We claim:
 1. An insertable wireless communication device comprising: an insertable device housing configured to be inserted into a power tool housing of a power tool from an exterior of the power tool housing; a shared antenna located within the insertable device housing and configured to transmit and receive wireless signals; a first transceiver located within the insertable device housing and configured to communicate, via the shared antenna, with a server using a first type of wireless communication; and a second transceiver located within the insertable device housing and configured to communicate, via the shared antenna, with an external device using a second type of wireless communication, wherein the second type of wireless communication has a different communication range than the first type of wireless communication.
 2. The insertable wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising: a location receiver configured to determine location information for the insertable wireless communication device; an altitude sensor configured to determine altitude information related to an altitude at which the insertable wireless communication device is located; and an electronic processor located within the insertable device housing and coupled to the location receiver and to the altitude sensor, the electronic processor configured to: receive the location information from the location receiver, receive the altitude information from the altitude sensor, and determine a location of the insertable wireless communication device based on the location information and the altitude information.
 3. The insertable wireless communication device of claim 2, wherein the location information includes an indication that the location of the insertable wireless communication device corresponds to a particular floor of a particular building.
 4. The insertable wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit, via the shared antenna, a location of the insertable wireless communication device to the server without using the external device as an intermediary; and wherein the second transceiver is configured to transmit, via the shared antenna, tool data to the external device and is configured to receive, via the shared antenna and from the external device, a command to control an operation of the power tool.
 5. The insertable wireless communication device of claim 4, wherein the command includes a first command to control a work light of the power tool or a second command to lock the power tool to prevent the power tool from operating.
 6. The insertable wireless communication device of claim 4, wherein the operation of the power tool includes an operation of a motor of the power tool, and wherein the command includes power tool configuration data to control the operation of the motor of the power tool.
 7. The insertable wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising: a backup power source located within the insertable device housing; wherein the first transceiver is configured to be powered by a battery pack coupled to the power tool, and the first transceiver is configured to be unpowered when the battery pack is not coupled to the power tool; and wherein the second transceiver is configured to be powered by the backup power source when the battery pack is not coupled to the power tool.
 8. The insertable wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising: an electronic processor located within the insertable device housing and coupled to the first transceiver and the second transceiver, the electronic processor is configured to: communicate with the server via the first transceiver and the shared antenna; and communicate with the external device via the second transceiver and the shared antenna.
 9. The insertable wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the insertable wireless communication device is configured to be communicatively coupled to a power tool electronic processor of the power tool after the insertable wireless communication device is inserted into the power tool housing; wherein the insertable wireless communication device is configured to: receive tool data from the power tool electronic processor, and transmit the tool data to the server, the external device, or both the server and the external device; and wherein the insertable wireless communication device is configured to: receive, via the shared antenna and from the external device, a command to control an operation of the power tool, and transmit the command to the power tool electronic processor to control the power tool according to the command.
 10. The insertable wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein: the first type of wireless communication includes cellular communication; and the second type of wireless communication includes short range radio frequency communication.
 11. The insertable wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising: a third transceiver located within the insertable device housing, the third transceiver configured to transmit, via the shared antenna, a beacon signal to the external device to aid the external device in determining a location of the insertable wireless communication device relative to the external device.
 12. A method of controlling an insertable wireless communication device, the method comprising: communicating, using a first transceiver located within an insertable device housing of the insertable wireless communication device and via a shared antenna located within the insertable device housing, with a server using a first type of wireless communication, the insertable wireless communication device being inserted into a power tool housing of a power tool from an exterior of the power tool housing; and communicating, using a second transceiver located within the insertable device housing and via the shared antenna, with an external device using a second type of wireless communication, wherein the second type of wireless communication has a different communication range than the first type of wireless communication.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein communicating with the server includes transmitting, with the first transceiver via the shared antenna, a location of the insertable wireless communication device to the server without using the external device as an intermediary; and wherein communicating with the external device includes: transmitting, with the second transceiver via the shared antenna, tool data to the external device, and receiving, with the second transceiver and via the shared antenna, a command to control an operation of the power tool from the external device.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: powering the first transceiver by a battery pack coupled to the power tool when the battery pack is coupled to the power tool, the first transceiver being unpowered when the battery pack is not coupled to the power tool; and powering the second transceiver by a backup power source located within the insertable device housing when the battery pack is not coupled to the power tool.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising: communicating, using an electronic processor located within the insertable device housing and coupled to the first transceiver and the second transceiver, with the server via the first transceiver and the shared antenna; and communicating, using the electronic processor, with the external device via the second transceiver and the shared antenna.
 16. An insertable wireless communication device comprising: an insertable device housing configured to be inserted into a power tool housing of a power tool; a shared antenna located within the insertable device housing and configured to transmit and receive wireless signals between the insertable wireless communication device and a first remote device and a second remote device; a first transceiver located within the insertable device housing and configured to communicate, via the shared antenna, with the first remote device using a first type of wireless communication; and a second transceiver located within the insertable device housing and configured to communicate, via the shared antenna, with the second remote device, using a second type of wireless communication different than the first type of wireless communication.
 17. The insertable wireless communication device of claim 16, wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit, via the shared antenna, a location of the insertable wireless communication device to the first external device without using an intermediary device; and wherein the second transceiver is configured to transmit, via the shared antenna, tool data to the second external device, and the second transceiver is configured to receive, via the shared antenna and from the second external device, a command to control an operation of the power tool.
 18. The insertable wireless communication device of claim 17, wherein the command includes at least one of the group consisting of a first command to control a work light of the power tool, a second command to lock the power tool to prevent the power tool from operating, a third command including power tool configuration data to control an operation of a motor of the power tool, and combinations thereof.
 19. The insertable wireless communication device of claim 16, further comprising: a backup power source located within the insertable device housing; wherein the first transceiver is configured to be powered by a battery pack coupled to the power tool, and the first transceiver is configured to be unpowered when the battery pack is not coupled to the power tool; and wherein the second transceiver is configured to be powered by the backup power source when the battery pack is not coupled to the power tool.
 20. The insertable wireless communication device of claim 16, further comprising: an electronic processor located within the insertable device housing, the electronic processor connected to the first transceiver and to the second transceiver, wherein the electronic processor is configured to: communicate with the first external device using the first transceiver and the shared antenna; and communicate with the second external device via the second transceiver and the shared antenna. 